We seem to say the same words after every competition, and often after every meeting. The standard of our work increases dramatically. Take this evening for example. Our meeting in memory of our dearly missed Mairead.
It was a meeting with three apologies, from Cathy, Jim and Liliane. We still managed to attract thirteen members including Jane who made a welcome appearance to honour Mairead's memory.
Unfortunately a computer malfunction denied Anne her chance to submit an entry so that meant twelve stories. With Cathy absent through illness Beryl buckled down to reading the lot! What a hero! Not only that but she read an extra story when one of Dave's older works, Ticking Clock, got deposited on the entry pile in error! Whoops! That one was ejected of course.
Any one of the official entries could have won the Crystal Ball tonight but, after a lengthy spell of Beryl's expert delivery, Tony became the adjudicator and provided the result of our voting.
In third place, "The Smell of Coffee" which was submitted by Bridget who kindly donated the Crystal Ball.
Runner-up, "From the Deep" was Georgina our newest recruit who was also runner-up in The Bill Budner Competition.
The worthy winner, "Three Books" was Derek, another of our prolific writers.
Other entries in reading order were:
London House by Steve
Dame Fortune by Gerry
Le Passage by Dave
Special Delivery by Liz
Flat Tyre by Kay
Food! by Tony
Night Terrors by Jane
Doodlebug by Beryl
The Night of Broomhorses by Hazel.
Every writer produced some fantastic stories of ghostly and spooky happenings and must be congratulated for making the evening a very memorable one.
Thanks must also go to Beryl, not only for the reading, but also having collected the library key earlier. Thanks also to Liz and Anne for providing the goodies in the same way that Mairead used to.
And so to our next meeting which will be held on Tuesday 20 November. This will be our AGM so, if you have any suggestions then please let me know by email so it may be included on the Agenda. The AGM will hopefully be over in good time which should leave us a little time for a short flash fiction session.
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| Derek receiving the Crystal Ball Award from Bridget. |
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| Most of the happy gathering. |
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| Most of the Bill Budner competitors |
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| Belated picture of Tony receiving The Bill Budner Trophy from Derek. |
